[14.14] BVR Color Survey of the Jovian Irregular Satellites

BVR colors and magnitudes are presented for four Jovian
irregular prograde satellites (Himalia J6, Elara J7,
Lysithea J10 and Leda J13) and four irregular retrograde
satellites (Pasiphae J8, Sinope J9, Carme J11 and Ananke
J12). All eight have generally ‘solar’ colors but the
retrograde group has slightly redder and more diverse
colors. The strikingly similar colors of the four prograde
satellites suggests the parent planetesimal was likely very
homogeneous. The four retrograde satellites show diversity
in color that suggests a heterogeneous progenitor and thus,
variations in pre-capture formation history. The absolute
magnitudes and revised diameters are presented. We also
report new colors and diameters for two Uranian irregular
satellites (Caliban (S/1997 U1) and Sycorax (S/1997 U2)).
The Uranian satellite colors are slightly redder than the
eight Jovian satellites studied.

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